A. IRC’s New Contract with OC Parks Begins July 1: What that Means For You

Beginning July 1, IRC is operating under a new contract with OC Parks which expands our management to include the 2014 lands – Saddleback, Gypsum, and Red Rock. This also means management of the Wilderness Access Day for all these areas.

We will now be running WAD’s every weekend — some weekends having two in one day when we have a Bommer Canyon Wilderness Access Day. We will need volunteer support for all of these.

Weekend 1:  Alternating between Black Star Canyon and Limestone Canyon (as before)

Weekend 2: Gypsum Canyon

Weekend 3: Red Rock Wilderness

Weekend 4: Saddleback Wilderness

In light of this, we are going back to having clearly-defined shift times and roles. Roles include registration, gate monitor, patrol, and support. Additionally, in the near future, we will be having more interpretive opportunities such as education booths at the WADs.

Each volunteer plays a key role in supporting a safe, enjoyable, and informative experience for the public during these events. So that you clearly understand the roles you are signing up for and what is expected of you, please click this link (Volunteer Roles and Responsibilities – Exploration and Wilderness Access Days) to read about the below roles:

1. Registration

2. Gate Monitor

3. Support

4. Equestrian Patrol and Foot/Bike Patrol

Shift Times for Wilderness Access Days:

1st Shift:  7:30 am – 11:30 am

2nd Shift: 11:00 am – 2:30 pm

B. IRC Volunteer Badges – Corrected Badges are on their Way!

Thank you SO MUCH for your volunteerism with Irvine Ranch Conservancy and for renewing your commitment for the 4/1/25 – 3/31/26 IRC volunteer year.

For those who have completed the renewal documents and, if required, submitted for their required biennial background check, we began printing and mailing updated badges.

As you may be aware, some were sent out without a hole punched in the badge and/or an incorrect volunteer designation.

We have begun making the corrections and you will be mailed a correct badge in the next week or so.

The new badges contain the updated ‘valid-through 2026’ date as well as updated information on the back regarding the after-hours contact number (which can be reached by calling -OR- texting).

When you receive your new badge, you may discard your expired badge as well as the recently-sent incorrect badge.

C. Background Check Required for IRC Volunteers Every Two Years

Part of the IRC volunteer renewal process is submitting for a background check (and clearing it) every two years.

When the renewal documents were sent out in March, many of you were also required to complete a background check. We are currently checking to see if any background checks are outstanding and you will be contacted if this step still needs to be done. Not having done this step may delay us sending you your updated IRC badge.

If we still need your background check completed, an email regarding the background check can be expected within the next two weeks. A prompt response is appreciated.

Please let us know if you have any questions.

D. Raptor Nest Trail Closures Shifting to Quiet Zones

Great news! We’re now approaching the tail end of our raptor nesting season.

Many of our active nests are either fledging or very close to it. As a result, the birds are becoming much more resilient to disturbance. With this in mind, we’re shifting away from closures and into quiet zones. This means all previous closure areas are now accessible to vehicles, hikers, bikers, and equestrians.

The monitoring team has added one additional quiet zone at Box Springs, under the large oak trees, due to an active Cooper’s Hawk nest in this area. While this species is fairly tolerant of activity, we ask that groups limit their time directly under the oak trees to 15 minutes or less when possible, and make efforts to reduce noise while in this location.

Thank you all for your continued care and flexibility as we work through the remainder of the season!